Dare to go small for a big cause

BALLSY: The Hollard Daredevil Run attracts brave runners to ‘bare it all’ to raise awareness of male cancers. A SPLASH of purple pride will be on the streets of Durban on Friday, March 16, as male runners across the city don itsy-bitsy Speedos and not much else for the annual Hollard Daredevil Run

The 5km jog sees men of all ages, shapes and sizes take to the streets during peak-hour traffic, wearing purple Speedos and a whole lot of attitude to raise awareness of male cancers.

“I think we can all agree that cancer is a massive ball ache, and more needs to be done to raise awareness and encourage more men to get tested before it’s too late,” said Warwick Bloom, group communications manager at Hollard.

“The Daredevil Run is unique in its playful approach to cancer awareness.

“We believe uniting men in a light-hearted manner allows them to participate and relate to the cause.

“We want to educate and encourage open conversations, support for survivors, and, ultimately, regular testing to save more lives.”

The run was inaugurated in 2009, and the theme this year is #Daredevil Dedication, with all Daredevils called on to dedicate their run to someone they know or love who has been affected by cancer.

Runners can share their dedications on signboards, or write them on themselves, seeing as there will be so much skin on show.

“One in 18 South African men will be affected by prostate cancer, and we hope these dedications will highlight that cancer sufferers are not statistics.

“They are fathers, brothers, sons and friends,” said Bloom.

CEO of the Cancer Association of SA (Cansa), Elize Joubert, said: “Today more than ever, we have an opportunity to collectively educate all South Africans and ensure male-specific cancers are detected early enough.

“The goal for all of us is to ensure fewer people develop cancer, more people are successfully treated and that there is a better quality of life for people during treatment and beyond.”

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men over the age of 50.

But doctors recommend that all men, regardless of their ethnicity, fitness level or medical background, start getting tested when they turn 40.

Although cases of testicular cancer in South Africa are rare, it is still the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer in men between the ages of 15 and 39.

And while these statistics are enough to scare the pants off most people, one of the key goals of the run is to reinforce the message that early detection is the best way to improve a patient’s chances of survival and most importantly, that cancer is not always a death sentence.

When detected early, more than 90% of testicular cancer patients can be cured in just one treatment.

Proceeds from the run will be donated to Cansa and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa to help fund cancer awareness programmes and testing across the country.

The Hollard Daredevil Run takes place around the country on March 16, with the Durban run scheduled for 3pm from College Rovers Club, Gate C, Kings Park Stadium, Jacko Jackson Drive.

Men and boys of any age are invited to participate and can register now at www.daredevilrun.com – Staff Reporter